Healthy Living • Y Stories • YMCA Health and Fitness • YMCA Volunteers
How a gym membership changed Arun's career path
26 March 2018 - by Nicole Meredith
Access to programs that help people get healthy physically, mentally, and socially can be life changing — and often out of reach for people who are between jobs, living on a fixed income, or otherwise struggling to make ends meet. The YMCA’s membership assistance program breaks down the barriers that keep individuals and families from accessing these crucial programs, ensuring that healthy living is an option for everyone. For Arun, membership assistance didn’t just help him stay active during a tough time in his life; it also opened new opportunities he’d never even considered. Here’s his inspiring story:
In November 2011, life as I knew it changed. I was laid off from my job, which meant I couldn’t pay for my membership at my former gym — so it was withdrawn. I was devastated, because working out always helped alleviate my stress, and losing your job and trying to find work is so stressful. But I certainly couldn’t pay for a gym membership when I couldn’t even pay my bills.
Some of my friends told me they thought I could apply for financial assistance at the Y. I was really reluctant to ask for help like that, but when I approached the desk at the Central Y, I saw I had nothing to worry about. The staff were so friendly, and they even helped me fill out the application form. No one judged me or looked down on me, like I feared; they just welcomed me in and accepted that I needed a little help.
With my new membership, I started taking Arriba classes. Edgar quickly became my favourite instructor and soon, I was a regular in his class. To my total surprise, he approached me one day and asked if I’d be interested in volunteering to co-teach with him! Edgar started inviting me to some of the training sessions and special events for Y instructors, where I met more and more staff and volunteers who encouraged me to get my certifications.
Before I came to the Y, I certainly didn’t think my career path would have anything to do with fitness. But thanks to the support of our fantastic team, I eventually got my certification and started teaching my own classes at the Central Y! Just last year, I was invited to join the YMCA’s Arriba choreography team — so now, I don’t just teach Arriba classes, I also get to help create the moves we do in those classes. With such a strong support system, expanding my horizons has been easy: I’m now certified to teach MuscleFit classes, and am in the process of getting my AquaFit and Yoga certification as well!
The YMCA was there for me when I needed it the most, and to this day, I feel like the Y is my second home. The staff and volunteers are so warm and caring, and as they proved when I showed up years ago, they welcome everyone with open arms. I really owe the personal and professional growth I’ve enjoyed over the last seven years to the awesome YMCA team, and I’m so grateful to be able to give back to my community.
In November 2011, life as I knew it changed. I was laid off from my job, which meant I couldn’t pay for my membership at my former gym — so it was withdrawn. I was devastated, because working out always helped alleviate my stress, and losing your job and trying to find work is so stressful. But I certainly couldn’t pay for a gym membership when I couldn’t even pay my bills.
Some of my friends told me they thought I could apply for financial assistance at the Y. I was really reluctant to ask for help like that, but when I approached the desk at the Central Y, I saw I had nothing to worry about. The staff were so friendly, and they even helped me fill out the application form. No one judged me or looked down on me, like I feared; they just welcomed me in and accepted that I needed a little help.
With my new membership, I started taking Arriba classes. Edgar quickly became my favourite instructor and soon, I was a regular in his class. To my total surprise, he approached me one day and asked if I’d be interested in volunteering to co-teach with him! Edgar started inviting me to some of the training sessions and special events for Y instructors, where I met more and more staff and volunteers who encouraged me to get my certifications.
Before I came to the Y, I certainly didn’t think my career path would have anything to do with fitness. But thanks to the support of our fantastic team, I eventually got my certification and started teaching my own classes at the Central Y! Just last year, I was invited to join the YMCA’s Arriba choreography team — so now, I don’t just teach Arriba classes, I also get to help create the moves we do in those classes. With such a strong support system, expanding my horizons has been easy: I’m now certified to teach MuscleFit classes, and am in the process of getting my AquaFit and Yoga certification as well!
The YMCA was there for me when I needed it the most, and to this day, I feel like the Y is my second home. The staff and volunteers are so warm and caring, and as they proved when I showed up years ago, they welcome everyone with open arms. I really owe the personal and professional growth I’ve enjoyed over the last seven years to the awesome YMCA team, and I’m so grateful to be able to give back to my community.
